Prioritize proximity to major roads and coastal routes, measurable carrier connectivity, warehouse footprint and clear height, availability of required capabilities (cold chain, cross-dock, kitting), WMS and API integrations, labor skill and stability, and transparent SLAs for lead time, accuracy, and returns.

Real estate and direct labor costs tend to be lower than primary hubs, which reduces storage and handling spend. Expect trade-offs in carrier density and frequency; plan for consolidated inbound moves or feeder services to optimize cost-per-order while maintaining service windows.

Require a modern WMS with real-time inventory, API/EDI carrier connectivity, scalable pick-and-pack workflows, robust returns processing, batch/promo management, and capacity surge plans. Verify reporting, KPI dashboards, and escalation procedures for peak periods.

Expect improved regional transit times to northern customers and access to local last-mile partners. National carrier frequency may be lower than main ports, so adopt multi-modal routing, scheduled consolidation, and defined lead-time buffers to ensure reliability.

Request SLA templates with OTIF, inventory accuracy, and damage metrics; confirm insurance limits and claims processes; review customs clearance experience and paperwork handling; conduct site audits, reference checks, sample KPI reports, and a trial onboarding to validate performance before full migration.